Nordly Capi

Workout Notes: Steelers, Bucs, Colts, Browns

British rugby player Tom Burgess has continued his wave of tryouts for NFL clubs, per Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link), who reports that Burgess worked out for the Steelers today. Burgess, who’s also auditioned for the Giants, Jets, and Bills, could be line for a futures contract at the end of the season, following in the footsteps of fellow international star Jarryd Hayne.

Here’s at look at the rest of today’s workouts as clubs seek to get a feel for available free agents and update their emergency lists:

  • The Buccaneers worked out several players today, including linebacker Willie Jefferson, cornerback Garry Peters, defensive end Nordly Capi, and cornerback De’Vante Bausby, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). Peters, a Clemson alum, was a favorite UDFA of several draftniks this spring.
  • Running back Daniel Thomas is searching for new opportunity after being released by the Bears earlier in the year, and he earned a tryout with the Colts today, per Wilson (on Twitter). Thomas, whose most notable time came with the Dolphins, could be an option for Indianapolis, who is looking to replace the injured Ahmad Bradshaw.
  • The Browns brought in three players for an audition, says Wilson (via Twitter), who reports that receivers R.J. Harris and Marcus Lucas, plus safety Phillip Thomas, worked out for Cleveland. A fourth player involved in the tryout — defensive back Tim Scott — was signed to the club’s practice squad yesterday.
  • A large group of receivers worked out for the Seahawks, including Rashaad Carter, Desmond Lawrence, Jordan Leslie, Colin Lockett, and Larry Pinkard, in addition to quarterback Dustin Vaughan, per Wilson (Twitter link).
  • The Bears visited with receiver Kyle Prater, who was a Saints UDFA out of Northwestern earlier this year, according to Wilson (Twitter link). Prater, 23, was named the No. 1 receiver of the 2010 recruiting class.

Workout Notes: Steelers, Broncos, Bears

The Steelers, who have been leaning heavily on DeAngelo Williams since Le’Veon Bell went down for the year, worked out former Rams and Jets running back Daryl Richardson, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post (Twitter link). It doesn’t appear Pittsburgh will sign Richardson at this point, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the free agent market, considering Jordan Todman and Fitzgerald Toussaint – Williams’ current backups – have combined for just four carries this season.

Here are more workout notes from Wilson:

  • The Broncos had a huge group of players in for tryouts this week, and Wilson (Twitter links) has the full list:
    • FB Ray Agnew
    • TE Brandon Barden
    • DT Alex Bienemann
    • TE Cameron Clear
    • WR Jace Davis
    • WR Antwan Goodley
    • WR R.J. Harris
    • C Alex Hill
    • T Cameron Jefferson
    • WR Jordan Leslie
    • QB Seth Lobato
    • WR Levi Norwood
    • QB Bryn Renner
    • T Jack Rummells
    • WR Demetrius Wilson
  • Tight end Rob Housler was part of the Bears‘ latest workout group, which also featured tight end Nick Kasa and wide receiver Marcus Lucas, according to Wilson (Twitter link). Chicago’s starting tight end, Martellus Bennett, is expected to return to action this weekend, so I wouldn’t expect the team to add another player at the position.
  • The Cardinals auditioned linebackers Josh Francis, Quayshawn Nealy, Markus Pierce-Brewster, and Mike Reilly, along with cornerback Jalil Brown, tweets Wilson.
  • In addition to working out offensive tackle Pierce Burton, who signed to the team’s practice squad, the Colts also took a look at defensive end Nordly Capi and defensive back Terrance Mitchell, says Wilson (via Twitter).
  • The Raiders tried out safety Dewey McDonald, tweets Wilson. McDonald was signed by the Patriots last week, but only lasted two days on New England’s roster.

Ravens Sign Terrance West To Practice Squad

The Ravens have added a local running back to their practice squad, announcing today in a press release that Baltimore native and former Towson standout Terrance West has joined the club. The club cut defensive end Nordly Capi from its practice squad to clear room for West, who first broke word of his signing via his Instagram account.

West, 24, was the Browns’ leading rusher in his rookie season last year, accumulating 673 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, on 171 carries. However, the 2014 third-round pick was sent to the Titans prior to the 2015 season, and he didn’t have much of a role in Tennessee. Having fallen behind Antonio Andrews and Bishop Sankey on the depth chart, West had just 50 yards on 16 carries for the Titans this season.

West went unclaimed on waivers this week after being cut by Tennessee on Saturday, but drew interest from around the league. According to Aaron Wilson of the National Football post (Twitter link), West had several offers from other NFL teams before he decided to head to Baltimore. As Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com notes (via Twitter), there was an “obvious allure” for West in joining his hometown team.

Javorius Allen and Raheem Mostert are currently backing up Justin Forsett in the Ravens’ backfield on the active roster, so if any of those players were to go down with an injury, West would be a candidate for a promotion.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/20/15

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad signings and cuts from around the NFL:

Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

  • Signed: WR Titus Davis (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post)

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Signed: LB Josh Keyes, WR Fred Williams (Twitter links via Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star and Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)
  • Cut: WR Kenny Cook 

Miami Dolphins

  • Signed: CB Trovon Reed (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

San Diego Chargers

  • Signed: DL Chuka Ndulue (Twitter link via Eric Williams of ESPN)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington

AFC Notes: Colts, Chargers, Ravens, Jets

Let’s round up a few items from around the AFC….

  • The Colts‘ decision to sign return specialist Marcus Thigpen on Monday surprised some people within the organization, according to Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star (via Twitter). Thigpen figures to take over return duties from Griff Whalen, who had a 50-yard return last Thursday for the Colts.
  • Safety Adrian Phillips, who was waived on Monday to make space for the return of Antonio Gates, cleared waivers and is likely to rejoin the Chargers via the taxi squad, Michael Gehlken of U-T San Diego tweets.
  • The Ravens worked out defensive end Nordly Capi, defensive end Phillip Hunt, and linebacker J.R. Tavai, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (Twitter link).
  • The Jets auditioned outside linebackers Gerald Rivers and Kaelin Burnett on Tuesday, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (on Twitter).

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Rumors: Jets, Ravens, Workouts

Despite signing a four-year, $16MM extension last October, Jeremy Kerley played just one snap for the Jets in Week 1 and doesn’t appear to have a role in Chan Gailey‘s offense. Gailey prefers receivers play different positions. Kerley’s skill set is mostly limited to slot work, putting his future with the team in doubt, according to Dom Cosentino of NJ.com. Kerley, who established career highs with 56 catches for 827 yards in 2012, missed time this summer with an Achilles injury and a concussion, leading to being phased out of the offense thus far. “We started molding [the offense] around other things, and we are where we are,” Gailey told media. Eric Decker played 43 snaps in the slot last week.

Here are some other items emerging from other AFC locales.

  • With Eugene Monroe set to miss tomorrow’s Ravens-Raiders game due to a concussion sustained in the first half of Week 1, Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com posits the Ravens are not receiving good value from Monroe after he signed a five-year, $37.5MM deal last season. Monroe’s latest absence will mark the sixth time the Baltimore left tackle’s missed a game since signing that extension, and after quality seasons prior to last, Monroe graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 63rd-ranked tackle last year.
  • The Colts worked out cornerback Brandon Dixon, Bill Bentley and Robert McClain, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter) the latter of the trio having 17 career starts to his credit. The Patriots cut the 27-year-old McClain earlier this month after signing the ex-Falcon this offseason. A former Division II All-American and twin brother of Saints cornerback Brian Dixon, Brandon Dixon played 14 games last season for the Buccaneers. Bentley, a 2012 third-rounder, started eight games for the Lions in 2012-13 but ended up on injured reserve last season after playing in just one game.
  • The Browns worked out linebacker Jayson DiManche, and defensive ends Cam Johnson and Nordly Capi, Wilson tweets. DiManche played in 28 games for the Bengals the past two seasons, with Johnson suiting up in 13 for the 49ers and Colts in the past three.
  • In addition to trying out Bernard Pollard on Friday, the Raiders also brought in free safeties Durrell Eskridge and Ryan Murphy for auditions, notes Wilson (on Twitter).

Workout Notes: 9/12/15

The Chiefs worked out former seventh-round pick Cam Johnson, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter). The linebacker spent the previous three seasons with the Colts, compiling five tackles in 13 appearances. A 49ers draft pick in 2012, Johnson was waived by Indy last week.

Let’s check out some more audition notes from around the league. All links are via Wilson, unless noted otherwise…

  • The Jaguars worked out wideout Shaq Evans and quarterbacks Shane Carden and McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Carden, an undrafted rookie, inked a deal with the Bears following the draft. Meanwhile, Bethel-Thompson, an undrafted rookie in 2011, is still looking to make his NFL debut (Twitter link).
  • The Packers auditioned a group of players: receivers Issac Blakeney, Titus Davis, and Marcus Lucas, defensive ends Nordly Capi and Derrick Lott, linebacker Jeff Luc, and quarterback Donovan Porterie (Twitter link).

Jaguars Finalize Active Roster

Sen’Derrick Marks avoided the physically unable to perform list to start the season when the Jaguars moved him to their active roster. The team also cut its roster down to 53 players, writes John Oehser of Jaguars.com.

The Jags’ leading sacker last season, Marks spent the preseason on the PUP list after tearing his ACL in Week 17 of last season.

Accompanying Jacksonville’s cuts, the team placed Ziggy Hood on injured reserve.

The Jaguars’ cuts are as follows:

  • Richard Ash, DT
  • Nordly Capi, DE
  • Kasey Closs, WR
  • Will Corbin, OL
  • Jeremiah George, LB
  • Connor Hamlett, TE
  • Jeremy Harris, CB
  • Ikponmwosa Igbinosun, DE
  • Storm Johnson, RB
  • Ben Koyack, TE
  • Erik Lora, WR
  • Craig Loston, S
  • Stephen Morris, QB
  • Austin Pasztor, OL
  • Chris Reed, G
  • Rashaad Reynolds, CB
  • Neal Sterling, WR
  • Todd Thomas, LB
  • Peyton Thompson, CB
  • Tony Washington, WR

Jaguars Sign Five, Waive Four

The Jaguars have signed five players who tried out at their rookie camp this past weekend, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter link). The team agreed to deals with defensive end Nordly Capi, defensive tackle Richard Ash, returner Kasey Closs, free safety Desmond Cooper, and offensive lineman Jack Rummels.

To make room for their five new additions, the Jags waived tight end Marcel Jensen, safety Jeremy Deering, kicker Derek Dimke, and wide receiver Tommy Streeter, reports ESPN’s Michael DiRocco (via Twitter).